Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase Harper ( born October 28, 1969 in Claremont, California) is an American musician and composer.
Biography
Growing up in the desert, he spent his time as a boy skating with friends. Later he worked as a postman and then repaired guitars.
Even with six years Harper began playing guitar. He was greatly influenced by his mother and grandmother, both of which could play guitar as well, and also of his father, a percussionist. This early enabled him to musical development. Among the influences in Harper's music include folk, blues and reggae. Particularly inspired him Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley, whom he saw at a concert in July 1978 in Burbank ( Los Angeles County).
At the age of 17 years was Ben Harper a bottleneck slide guitar ( Weissenborn ). He had his earliest appearances in the LA circuit with blues numbers. Thus it was discovered in 1993 and signed a record deal with Virgin. His self-produced debut album laid the foundation of his career. Together with his band, the Innocent Criminals, Harper 1994 she began a long tour through North America and Europe, making his fame and popularity rose steadily.
More albums were released in the following years. Harper's musical style changed, and elements of gospel, country, jazz and funk flowed into his music.
Harper also released a duet with Brazilian singer Vanessa da Mata, " Boa Sorte / Good Luck ". In the jointly written song since Mata sings the text in Portuguese, Ben Harper in English. The title has been the number one Brazilian and Portuguese charts and also excellent in Brazil in 2008 with the significant price Prêmio de Música Brasileira Multishow as " Best Song ". In the same year he founded the band Relentless7.
Ben Harper played on the video CD " Flake" the slide guitar of his colleague Jack Johnson and worked with " Sing-A- Longs and Lullabies " at the CD. Also, Harper is with his longtime friend frequently tour together.
In February 2010, Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison and Joseph Arthur founded the band Fistful of Mercy. The debut album As I Call You Down was released in October 2010.
Ben Harper appears as a guest musician in the song Save the Hammer for the Man on the Nightwatchman album World Wide Rebel Songs from the year 2011. 2013 he took along with the blues musician Charlie Musselwhite Album Get Up! on. It was honored at the 2014 Grammy Awards as the best blues album.
Harper was in 2000 ( Jurassic Park and Rambling Rose, etc.) dating to 2010 with the U.S. actress Laura Dern and the couple have a daughter (born 24 November 2004) and a son (born 21 August 2001). The couple married in 2005. In October 2010, Harper filed because of " irreconcilable differences " for divorce.
Social Commitment
Harper performed at the benefit concert "Change Begins Within" the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness - Based Education and World Peace on 4 April 2009 at the Radio City Music Hall, New York City, including with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Donovan, Sheryl Crow, Eddie Vedder and Moby. With the concert revenue, the Foundation wants to give underprivileged children the opportunity to learn Transcendental Meditation.
Discography, albums
- Pleasure and Pain (1992 ), limited edition on vinyl, 1500 Pieces
- Welcome to the Cruel World (1994 )
- Fight for Your Mind ( 1995)
- The Will to Live (1997)
- Burn to Shine (1999, with the Innocent Criminals )
- Live from Mars (2001, with the Innocent Criminals )
- Diamonds on the Inside (2003)
- There Will Be a Light (2004, with the Blind Boys of Alabama)
- Both Sides of the Gun (2006, with the Innocent Criminals )
- Lifeline (2007, with the Innocent Criminals )
- White Lies for Dark Times (2009, with Relentless7 )
- Live from the Montreal International Jazz Festival (2010, with Relentless7 )
- Give Till It 's Gone (2011)
- By My Side (2012 )
- Get Up! (2013, with Charlie Musselwhite, Grammy )
- Pleasure and Pain (2002)
- Live from the Montreal International Jazz Festival ( 2010)